Over 38,000 women and girls killed since October 2023, with deaths continuing even after a ceasefire.
Category: Politics
A post on r/worldnews that has received over 1,500 upvotes highlights the devastating toll of the Gaza conflict, particularly on women and girls, as reported by UN Women.
According to a recent report from UN Women, an average of at least 47 women and girls have been killed each day during the war in Gaza, with the total death toll exceeding 38,000 between October 2023 and December 2025. This staggering figure reflects a humanitarian crisis that has persisted even six months into a fragile ceasefire that began in October 2025.
The report indicates that the fatalities among women and girls constitute a significantly higher proportion of total deaths than in previous conflicts in Gaza. Sofia Calltorp, UN Women’s Chief of Humanitarian Action, stated, “Women and girls accounted for a proportion of deaths far higher than those observed in previous conflicts in Gaza.” In prior conflicts, women and girls represented 15% of deaths in the 2008-2009 conflict and 22% in the 2014 conflict.
Since the ceasefire, local medics report that over 750 Palestinians have been killed, including four Israeli soldiers, as both Israel and Hamas have exchanged accusations of ceasefire violations. This situation has raised alarms about the safety of civilians, particularly women and children, who continue to face severe risks.
The humanitarian impact of the conflict has been catastrophic. The report reveals that nearly one million women and girls are displaced within Gaza, struggling to meet basic needs due to extensive damage to infrastructure. Calltorp noted that “extensive damage to infrastructure has made it almost impossible for women and girls in Gaza to access their basic needs like healthcare.”
Healthcare access is particularly dire, with the World Health Organization estimating that over 500,000 women lack access to necessary services, including antenatal and postnatal care. The report also mentions that nearly 11,000 women and girls have sustained injuries leading to lifelong disabilities, exacerbating their vulnerability in a conflict-ridden environment.
Even with a ceasefire in place, the killing of women and girls has not ceased. UN Women expressed grave concerns about the continuation of violence against this demographic. “Those killed were mothers, they were daughters, sisters, and friends — deeply loved by those around them. They were individuals with lives and with dreams,” Calltorp emphasized.
The report also outlines the broader implications of the conflict, stating that the war has reshaped family structures in Gaza. Many households are now headed by women, who have lost their husbands and must support their families under extremely challenging conditions, often without income or access to basic services.
The humanitarian crisis extends beyond fatalities, with food insecurity reaching alarming levels. At one point in 2025, around 93% of Gaza's population faced acute food insecurity, with women and children being the most affected. The report indicates that nearly 790,000 females have experienced crisis-level or catastrophic food insecurity.
Healthcare services, especially those related to reproductive health, have been severely disrupted. Hundreds of health facilities have been damaged or destroyed, and by late 2025, only about a third of sexual and reproductive health service points remained operational. Women have been forced to give birth in unsafe conditions, often outside hospitals without skilled medical support.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is compounded by the geopolitical dynamics of the region. The conflict escalated following a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, 2025, which intensified hostilities. The fragile ceasefire that was announced in October 2025 came after two years of full-scale war, yet the situation remains precarious.
UN Women has called for full adherence to the ceasefire, respect for international law, and the protection of civilians, particularly women and girls. The agency urges the international community to scale up humanitarian assistance and include women in recovery and reconstruction efforts. “The impact of the war on women and girls has been devastating,” said Moez Doraid, UN Women’s regional director for the Arab States.
As the situation continues to evolve, the need for urgent humanitarian assistance remains clear. The international community is urged to respond to the crisis, ensuring that aid reaches those in need and that the rights and safety of women and girls are prioritized.
In light of these events, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is expected to persist for months, with conditions remaining dire for those affected by the conflict. The call for action from UN Women highlights the necessity of addressing the gendered impacts of war and ensuring that women and girls are not forgotten in the recovery process.